Only Work Sundays - Print

Only Work Sundays
A Laid-Back Guide to Doing Less While Helping Your Church Thrive

By Liz Miller

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Why this book matters

Too many church leaders are wired for busyness – a busyness that can mask burnout, joy fatigue, and compassion exhaustion. Liz Miller invites you to reclaim your vocation by laying down unrealistic expectations and embracing “laid‑back ministry” as a spiritual gift. It’s not about being lazy – it’s about freeing yourself to pastor more effectively and sustainably. 

Key strengths

• Grounded in real ministry – Miller draws on her own journey through burnout and recovery, offering deeply honest, practical wisdom
   
• Spiritual theology of absence – As one UCC minister puts it, the book shows how “absence that empowers and invites creativity … is a powerful form of presence.”
  
  
• Humorous and warm – According to Amazon reviews, Liz is “a wonderful storyteller” with “warm, funny, practical” advice that resonates with clergy and lay leaders alike."
  
  
• Designed for immediate use – Compact and accessible, this 160‑page guide is perfect for personal reading, team retreats, or leadership development.
  

What you’ll find inside

1. Introduction: Rethinking Ministry Workload
   
   
2. The Myth of the Overworked Leader
   
   
3. Finding Your Priorities
   
   
4. Delegation Without Guilt
   
   
5. Building a Collaborative Church Culture
   
   
6. Time Management Made Simple
   
   
7. Celebrating Success Without Exhaustion
   
   
8. Reclaiming Your Joy in Ministry
   
   
9. Conclusion: Creating a Sustainable Future

Every chapter includes real‑life anecdotes, reflection questions, and practical actions to pause, reassess, and reframe your ministry rhythm.

How you can use it

• Personal retreat – Reflect on your own workload and spiritual health using the guided exercises.
  
  
• Staff team workshop – Use Delegation and Prioritisation chapters to spark honest conversations and share responsibilities.
  
  
• Leadership devotions – Start meetings with a spiritual practice drawn from the “spiritual gift of laziness.”
  
  
• Volunteer training – Encourage shared ministry by modelling slow, sustainable rhythms.
  
  

Who it's for

• Over‑loaded pastors and ministers seeking healthier rhythms
  
  
• Lay leaders supporting clergy who are heading for burnout
  
  
• Church staff longing for sustainable collaboration and space for creativity
  
  
• Anyone who wants to rediscover joy and purpose in ministry
  
  

Book details

Soft cover, 160pp
ISBN: 9780829800272
0.61 cms H x 21.41 cms L x 13.79 cms W (0.26 kgs)
Pilgrim Press (2023)

[2 copies only in stock at this price 22 June 2025]

About the author

Liz Miller is a pastor, speaker, quilter, triathlete – and burnout survivor. Serving at Edgewood UCC in Michigan, she holds firmly to the idea that clergy need margins to minister well. She rates her “laid‑back” Sundays as non‑negotiable 

Praise from peers

“Liz Miller had me at ‘only work Sundays.’ … a welcome antidote to the burnout … vision fatigue that ails many veteran pastors”  Molly Baskette, author 

“Wonderful! … absence that empowers and invites creativity.”  Davida Foy Crabtree, UCC minister

In summary

Only Work Sundays is more than a management manual—it’s a ministry manifesto for doing less so your church—and your soul—can thrive. Whether you’re worn out, distracted by your calendar, or just curious about what happens when you step back, this book will help you lead with clarity, purpose, and peace.

Invite humility, space, and collaboration into your ministry – begin by only working Sundays.